September 6, 2011

Unconditional Surrender

If you were kissed by a total stranger - a sailor in this case – in the midst of a momentous celebration, what would you do? Read about it here.

I saw a few couples in the same pose, kissing in front of the statue, while being photographed.

I drew this while sitting on the green grass under a tree.

It seemed like a very popular sculpture. A few people were curious and came to have a look at my drawing, and to chat. Someone took a photo of my hand drawing…

Half an hour later, and 500 feet away, someone approached me. He said he saw me drawing the statue, and was curious how it turned out on paper. I showed him. He smiled, and nodded. I think he approved.

This sculpture was done from a famous photograph, V-J Day Time Square,by Alfred Eisenstaedt, shot on August 14,1945 and published in Life Magazine. It signifies the great joy Americans shared on the ending of World War II.It is an important sculpture in that itcommemorates a very important day, but the photo is the art. Read all about it at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-J_Day_in_Times_Square.

Does "Unconditional Surrender" have double meaning? On August 15, 1945, Japan accepted the declaration of "unconditional surrender" of Potsdam. Japanese people were liberated from the war started by the wrong militarism. I wonder that self-expression of sense of freedom by the sailor is cultural thing?

> KaoriThey are both by the same artist. A quick google search tells me that he's done a number of large sculptures.Thanks Koari.

> Stardust/YokoIf I didn't know about the event, I'd relate the title to the nurse surrending herself to the kiss, and enjoying the moment. What do you think? Haha, I think that his expression is not cultural or common, which is why the photo and this sculpture are famous...Thanks Yoko.

There's lots I can say here. I immediately recognized that it was a 3D of the photo. I didn't know the two did not know each other and I'm surprised they could trace the woman and have her attend the unveiling of the sculpture. It's a sign of the times, but if today a man did that, he'd be doing time for assault; see your next post. ;-) I like your sketch of it a lot.

It's a lovely story. I love that it was inspired by a real event, and that the nurse in question has an input into the little article you linked to. Actually, I like your sketch better than the statue - it's a lovely depiction but the scale of it, when seen in the photos alongside real people, seems too big to me. Probably citizens of San Diego will hate me for that remark! (Sorry, everyone!)